Sarasota Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations

Review: JERSEY BOYS at Florida Studio Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - March 30, 2025

What did our critic think of JERSEY BOYS at Florida Studio Theatre?...

Review: NO ONE IS FORGOTTEN at Urbanite Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - March 25, 2025

Urbanite Theatre presents 'No One is Forgotten,' by Winter Miller, a gripping and unsettling production that delves deep into the raw emotions of its characters. The play is set in a unique space with tiered seating, positioning the audience above the two prisoners, offering a visceral perspective i...

Review: MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL at Van Wezel
by Shanti M. Kennedy - March 19, 2025

Indulge your senses, for to merely label “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” as a mere Broadway success is an egregious understatement of this unparalleled masterpiece. Allow me to regale you with the sumptuous details of its grandeur - during its opulent Broadway premiere in 2019 at the illustrious Al Hirs...

Review: ITZHAK PERLMAN IN RECITAL at Van Wezel
by Shanti M. Kennedy - March 17, 2025

World-renowned virtuoso Itzhak Perlman graced the exquisite city of Sarasota this past weekend, bringing his unparalleled talent to our charming community. With performances for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at the prestigious White House and captivating audiences worldwide as he played for numerous p...

Review: FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
by Shanti M. Kennedy - March 16, 2025

What did our critic think of FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe?...

Review: FUN HOME at Sarasota Players
by Jacob Ruscoe - March 13, 2025

Sarasota Players has provided audiences with a thought-provoking musical with their recent production of 'Fun Home,' the Tony Award-winning musical that brings Alison Bechdel's poignant graphic memoir to life. This innovative and emotionally resonant show, which first premiered on Broadway in 2015, ...

Review: NEIL BERG'S 115 YEARS OF BROADWAY at Van Wezel
by Shanti M. Kennedy - March 09, 2025

Neil Berg's '115 Years of Broadway' is an absolute show-stopper! It's like a time machine whisking you away to the glamorous eras of Broadway, starting from the dazzling 1930s and 40s all the way to the present day. ...

Review: THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at Rise Above Performing Arts
by Shanti M. Kennedy - February 25, 2025

Rise Above is a theatre group venturing into a new territory as they perform 'A Diary of Anne Frank', which is the first play they have taken on. This timeless story, known to many, carries a deep emotional weight as it sheds light on the struggles of our fellow human beings. Despite the lessons lea...

Review: ANNA IN THE TROPICS at Asolo Repertory Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - February 24, 2025

Asolo's latest play, 'Anna In The Tropics,' delves into heartbreak and tragedy with a touch of elegance and flair. The plot unfolds in a mesmerizing dance of life imitating art, as the characters find themselves entangled in a web of emotions as intricate as a Russian novel. With each passing moment...

Review: COME FROM AWAY at Van Wezel
by Jacob Ruscoe - February 19, 2025

Do you ever go see a show and know you will be on your feet for a standing ovation the minute the last chord sounds? I have now seen Come From Away 7 times including last year at the Van Wezel and it simply never gets old. It is powerful. It stirs your soul...

Review: FOREVER TANGO at Van Wezel
by Shanti M. Kennedy - February 12, 2025

On a dimly lit stage enveloped in an air of mystique, a melodious bandoneon tenderly caresses the night's silence, its haunting notes reverberating through the hushed theater. Bathed in a solitary spotlight, the instrument's melancholic melody sets the stage, foretelling an evocative and passionatel...

Review: THE ADDAMS FAMILY at Van Wezel
by Jacob Ruscoe - February 04, 2025

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall recently hosted a vibrant rendition of 'The Addams Family,' a musical that has captivated audiences since its Broadway premiere in 2010. Based on the beloved characters created by cartoonist Charles Addams, the show effortlessly blends humor, macabre charm, and cat...

Review: THE CANCELLATION OF LAUREN FEIN at Florida Studio Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - February 04, 2025

Lauren Fein, a distinguished tenured professor at her university, has dedicated her life to assisting others through her groundbreaking research efforts. Her valuable contributions to the unnamed University community, along with a strong network of esteemed colleagues and a loving family, showcase t...

Review: LADY MOLLY OF SCOTLAND YARD at Asolo Repertory Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - January 27, 2025

What did Broadwayworld's critic think of LADY MOLLY OF SCOTLAND YARD at Asolo Repertory Theatre? Read the full review here and learn more about the production,. ...

Review: FENCES at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
by Shanti M. Kennedy - January 28, 2025

August Wilson penned his Pulitzer Prize-winning play in 1983. Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, it delves into the African-American experience, generational prejudices, and other challenging themes. By concentrating on the journey of one family, the play portrays a spectrum of difficult times that individual...

Review: FUNNY GIRL at Van Wezel
by Jacob Ruscoe - January 17, 2025

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall recently hosted a captivating and vibrant production of “Funny Girl,” a classic musical that has endured the test of time and continues to resonate with audiences around the world. This Broadway tour, filled with laughter, heart, and stunning performances, brought ...

Review: SPACEMAN at Urbanite Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - January 08, 2025

A highly accomplished woman successfully joins NASA and embarks on a solo mission to Mars following her late husband's path. Initially filled with a cheerful demeanor, she finds herself alone on the spaceship stage, confiding in her computer and an answering machine stocked with messages from Earth....

Review: MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL 2 at Van Wezel
by Shanti M. Kennedy - January 05, 2025

What did our critic think of MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL 2 at Van Wezel?...

Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ at Manatee Performing Arts Center
by Jacob Ruscoe - December 12, 2024

The Manatee Performing Arts Center has once again delighted audiences with its enchanting production of 'The Wizard of Oz,' a timeless musical that brings to life L. Frank Baum's beloved story....

Review: A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS at West Coast Black Theatre Troupe
by Shanti M. Kennedy - December 11, 2024

What did our critic think of A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS at West Coast Black Theatre Troupe?aDuring the Holidays in Sarasota, there's always a buzzing downtown parade, an increase in traffic and tourists, and a festive celebration at the West Coast Black Theatre! If you're anything like me, you've got a bunc...

Review: ALL IS CALM - THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914 at Asolo Rep
by Jacob Ruscoe - December 10, 2024

The Asolo Repertory Theatre’s rendition of All is Calm - The Christmas Truce of 1914 offers a poignant breath of fresh air. ...

Review: LITTLE WOMEN at The Sarasota Players
by Jacob Ruscoe - December 09, 2024

Sometimes it is great to review a show you are really familiar with as it provides the varied perspectives by which one views a musical. Such is the case with Little Women. I loved watching a tale I knew from a fresh perspective. The Sarasota Players’ production of Little Women is a beautifully rend...

Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Asolo Repertory Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - December 08, 2024

What did our critic think of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Asolo Repertory Theatre?...

Review: WAITRESS at Florida Studio Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - November 13, 2024

Life has an uncanny way of serving up surprises, doesn't it? Take Jenna Hunterson, for example. Here she is, a multi-talented waitress and baker stuck in a situation stickier than overcooked caramel. Her husband? Let's just say he's the perfect recipe for disaster. And just when Jenna thinks things ...

Review: JENNIFER, WHO IS LEAVING at Urbanite Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - October 28, 2024

Nan, working alone on a cold winter’s night at a local donut shop, juggles tasks with the grace of a circus performer. Her husband’s calls provide a touch of comedic relief as he bumbles around searching for his elusive car keys. Nan's patience, though worn thin, endures with an exhausted yet loving...